Displayed is a rounded
Sword Chape for the Longer Spatha or shorter semi-spathashort sword. Basically the end attachment
clamping the wooden pieces of the scabbard together at the point of the
scabbard as well as providing a popular style for
the military sword of the
time.

These chapes commonly were decorated with silver gold or possibly bronze inlay's and patterns.
This example is made of bronze and has been cast with a circular
opening in the middle. No other known examples of chapes with such
an opening is known (except for a possible similar one made from organic
material found in a Bog at illerup).

It is unclear if this large hole held some type of organic "rivet" such as
ivory or bone that has now been lost, however this is the likely spot
where it was fixed to the wooden scabbard pieces.

The difference in this chape compared to the
earlier pointed variety are really a function of style than any
technological development. It is believed that as the Roman army
changed and incorporated more cultures it also adapted different styles
and types of weapons into its ranks.

In the 3rd
Century the Gladius was phased out and a long wider Spatha was introduced
to to the Roman army. Along with this came a difference in how the sword
was worn on the belt (now attached through a belt over the shoulder called
a baldric). A variety of chapes were around during this period, the only
consistent thread was that the pointed triangular type was no longer around. Some
were rounder and larger than this example and others were rectangular.
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